Basics
SoundFjord is a gallery and research unit dedicated to the Sonic Arts
The gallery was founded to readdress the current lack of exhibiting space exclusively for works of sound art and focuses on the exhibition and documentation of art works, the development of artists within their creative and research practices, and ultimately, the promotion of sound art and its related interests to a wider audience
This creative venture – a partnership between a fine artist and sound designer – is a centre for experimentation and collaboration, with sound being central to all works researched or exhibited: as inspiration, conduit for artistic expression, or simply, the resulting work
Purpose
SoundFjord's objective are clear: not only is it cardinal to exhibit radical, experimental and influential work at the vanguard of research and creative practice, but also to question it, research into and around it and to shake it up. Indeed, SoundFjord is here, not only to showcase and to document new trends in methodology and research, but also to insist on the creation of works that not only stimulate the concerned listener in a novel and inventive way, but similarly, in a refined, deft and probing manner
As part of the gallery's progressive and universally receptive stance on the essence of what sound art is and can be, SoundFjord seeks to nurture and develop artists whose work shows its own vision, but equally questions itself and the world around it. Indeed, the gallery wishes to be seen as a place to highlight what is challenging in the sound art world
SoundFjord presents itself as a hub for research and networking events, as an occasional venue for live performance within the field of experimental music and sound art performance, as host to lectures, workshops, talks and critiques in and around sound art practice and the art world in its entirety, and also as a collaborative force, motivated to work with other inspired individuals, collectives, galleries, venues, recording labels, institutions and foundations to assist with the materialisation of creative ventures, projects and events
People | Timeline
SoundFjord is a gallery organised and run by a team of volunteers, designers, thinkers & visionaries
The gallery was founded in late 2009 owing to the vision of artist, Helen Frosi1, and the expertise of sound designer, Andrew Riley2: two curious and questioning individuals fascinated by the ever burgeoning field of the sonic arts, and the questions, research and concerns that a renewed and reinvigorated focus on the aural seeks to address and bring to attention
By February 2010, work had begun in ernest on the SoundFjord project, whereby the designated venue was cleaned and made fit for purpose and suitably conditioned to create refined sound acoustics
Complimentary to the renovation of the space, artists, researchers and like-minded individuals were sought to contribute to the initial working of the space, either by submitting work, proposing projects or research activity, writing for exhibition and publication in a critical context, or simply by adding their own specialisms to a pool of creative practitioners and theorists
Soon after, a period of further research and refinement began within the area of the exhibition programme and corresponding events, and by March 2010, SoundFjord confirmed its Sonic Art Programme at the Dragonfly Festival Sweden, it's first project featuring international artists, Exquisite Corpse, and later on in the month, its first artist for exhibition, Yann Novak
From April onwards, further international sound and multi-disciplinary artists have been selected and placed within the exhibition programme. Presently, works are selected through open submission. On an alternative note, SoundFjord projects are organised around a concept and brief
SoundFjord anticipates many fruitful years of working with artists - organisations and similar-minded creative enterprises - offering assistance by way of advise and expertise, the conceptual realisation and fabrication of creative vision through exhibitions, events, workshops, lectures and similar, and also by the documentation of each work for posterity
SoundFjord's official opening will take place on 31 July 2010 | 4-8pm
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Further information on their other creative projects:
1. www.acompanyofenthusiasts.org.uk
History
SoundFjord began as an empty Foley studio nestled amongst numerous cloth and textile manufactures along the Lawrence Road at Seven Sisters
Before he textile industry transferred to Eastern Europe and China, Lawrence Road was well known by the textile industries; its import coming to prominence in the 1970 and mid-1980s. No. 28 Lawrence Road the present site of SoundFjord, was previously a floor cloth factory and is now a burgeoning hub of creativity, with units occupied by artists, designers, printmakers, photographers, arts trusts, and now a gallery
The area was radically redeveloped in the mid-20th century, and so does not possess architecture of historic interest per se, however many argue that No. 28 Lawrence Road is the most notable building in both design and architectural terms
The Clyde Circus Conservation Area circles the near area. This area comprises a mix of mid-Victorian villas and later Victorian and Edwardian terraces with commercial streets to the north and south
Vision
SoundFjord has been established as a space dedicated to:
1.) exhibit contemporary Sonic Art (in all its rigorous, research informed, process lead, avant-garde forms)
2.) showcase live contemporary Sound Art events utilising new technologies and ground-breaking concepts in construction and performance
3.) document Sonic Artists, and provide a permanent archive resource of contemporary Sonic Art
4.) develop artists within their creative practices through practice (process and research), and with our expertise
5.) nurture innovative and experimental modes of practice and champion the artistry involved
6.) promote the Sonic Arts within the Creative Sectors, heighten public consciousness and encourage a wider audience
7.) provide a research hub for artists, gallery-goers, researchers and critical thinkers alike
8.) supply knowledge, resources and research materials where available
9.) foster a creative environment available to artists of all walks of life and positions in their creative careers
10.) engage in learning and participation through lectures, workshops, live events and similar
11.) cultivate creative collaborations and business ventures to optimise creative ventures across genres
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